Short Courses

Pre-Symposium Short Courses

Best practices in mineral resource estimation: a two days refresher course

Best practices in mineral resource estimation: a two days refresher course

Presenters: Abani Samal, GeoGlobal LLC

Dates: May 16-17, 2020

Composition:Lectures and Discussion (2-days)

Attendees: 5 minimum

20 maximum

Price:$800 member, $850 Non-member, $550 Student

Requirements: A simple calculator or computer, a short straight edge and maybe a couple of colored pencils. Attendees will receive all other instructional materials.

Objective: This course will allow participants to gain knowledge on typical steps followed in resource estimation and application of linear geostatistics in this process. They will learn the critical aspects of the applications of geostatistics in mineral estimation. Emphasis will be given to the best practices. Participants will learn about software tools used in resource estimation, but this class is not specific to a single software package.

Objective: This class will introduce the basics of greenfield exploration to entry level geologists and those currently working at operating properties. Much of the skill set needed for exploration geologist does not involve geology, rather the basics of exploration methods, area selection, property evaluations, land status, drilling, and general project management.

Prospective Participants: Early and mid-career geologists looking to expand their horizons beyond this month’s production quota.

Objective: This class will introduce the concepts of geochemical/assay quality control and provide an introduction to advanced concepts including sample representivity, QA/QC programs for regulatory compliance, detection and correction of quality control failures and communicating data quality.

Objective: This class contains a comprehensive overview of the mining law in the United States relating to the acquisition, exploration, development, operation and closure of hard rock mining projects. The course provides in-depth coverage of types of land and mineral ownership in the U.S., types of mineral claims, historical and current issues under the General Mining Law of 1872, the process and issues involved in obtaining, holding, financing mineral tenures, an overview of environmental permitting, acquiring power, and an overview of water law in the western U.S. The course also includes an overview of the typical methods for entering into exploration and development joint venture arrangements, including the revised Rocky Mountain Mineral Law Foundation “Form 5” limited liability company agreement, lease, purchase and sale of exploration and mining project issues, and a discussion of the standard royalty mechanisms including net smelter return and net profits interest royalties. The course also covers current significant environmental issues in exploration and development including key air and water discharge issues, environmental impact statements, permitting of tailings facilities, bonding, and mine closure and reclamation issues.

Prospective Participants: The course is ideal for persons who are interested in acquiring mining projects in the U.S., or simply wish to have a refresher on key concepts.

Carlin Type Mineral Deposits

Carlin Type Mineral Deposits

Presenters: MDRU – Craig Hart, Ken Hickey, Shaun Barker

Dates: May 17, 2020

Composition: Lectures and Discussion

Attendees: 5 minimum (pending info from Craig and Ken) – no maximum

Requirements: Basic background in geology.

Price:TBD $ member, $ Non-member, $ Student

Objective:

Prospective Participants: Exploration, mining, and academic geologists who want to learn more about this very economically important deposit type.

Spectral Geology: Remote Sensing to Spectral Petrology, Exploration through Life of Mine

Spectral Geology: Remote Sensing to Spectral Petrology, Exploration through Life of Mine

Presenters: TBA – conversations ongoing with potential presenters

Dates: May 17, 2020

Composition: Lectures and Discussion (1-day)

Attendees: 5 minimum – no maximum

Price:$300 member, $375 Non-member, $100 Student

Requirements: Basic background in geology.

Objective: This course would involve a number of contributors from around the world in Spectral Geology. The morning session of this course will provide background in the physics and practical knowledge of signal to noise and what can be found throughout the visible through thermal infrared. This will be followed by a discussion of the latest technologies such as new satellites and new frontiers such as the mid-wave infrared. Case studies from remote sensing exploration to metallurgy and mine production will be a key focus.

NEPA for Mining Geologists

NEPA for Mining Geologists

Presenters: Mandy Bengtson and other SWCA Environmental Consultants

Dates: May 17, 2020

Composition: Lectures and Discussion (1-day)

Attendees: 5 minimum – no maximum

Price:$300 member, $375 Non-member, $100 Student

Requirements: Basic background in geology.

Objective: NEPA for mining and/or exploration.

Post-Symposium Short Courses

2020 Geologic Hindsight – what we thought we knew, what we think we know now, and what we might be wrong about

2020 Geologic Hindsight – what we thought we knew, what we think we know now, and what we might be wrong about.

Presenters:TBA

Dates: May 23, 2020

Composition: Lectures and Discussion (1-day)

Attendees: 10 minimum – no maximum

Requirements: An open mind and willingness to have your presumptions challenged. Attendees will receive course notes.

Objective: This class will bring together several thought leaders in their fields of “Carlin” type systems, epithermal veins, porphyry deposits, and the general geologic frame work of the Great Basin. Instructors are expected to review the state of the art circa the first GSN symposium (1987), current thinking, and where the research is heading.

As the tools get sharper, new geologic stories emerged for the three major ore deposit types targeted in the Great Basin. This class will help you understand why your boss / employees have very different ideas about ore genesis in the Great Basin and beyond.

Geologic and resource modeling in Leapfrog

Geologic and resource modeling in Leapfrog

Presenters: SRK Resource Geology Team

Dates:May 22-23, 2020

Composition:Lectures and Discussion (2-day)

Attendees: 6 minimum

no maximum

Requirements: Basic background in geology and computer literacy.

Price:$400 member, $500 Non-member, $150 Student

Objective: Leapfrog is a popular computer modeling program that approaches the internal mathematics and subsequent command structure in a different way from most modeling programs that trace their roots to hand drawn sections and plans. This class will act as an introduction to the program from data preparation and entry to resource calculations.

Prospective Participants: geologist and engineers with an interest in learning this program or evaluating it for their use.

Objective: Metals are found in the ground in a variety of compounds and states within the compounds. Getting the metal out of the rock is the job of the extractive metallurgist or chemical engineer but it is also the job of the geologist to understand the extractive process to identify profitable deposits. Understanding what minerals are involved and the location of the metals of interest, the host mineral chemistry is very important. Unfortunately, metallurgists and geologists rarely cross paths and often use different terminologies for the same thing. This class is designed to help breach that gap by teaching geologists what the metallurgists need to know and how to communicate it.

Objective: Sometimes a 20 minute presentation is just not enough. This free form meeting will offer a chance for presenters to meet with audience members for detailed question and answer sessions, a chance to get handle the rocks, and review to the background information summarized during the meeting.

Wilderness Advanced First Aid

Wilderness Advanced First Aid

Presenters: Susan Purvis

Dates:May 21 – 23, 2020

Composition: 1.5 days class room, 1 day in field

Attendees: 5 minimum – 20 maximum

Price:TBD $550 member, $550 Non-member, $550 Student

Requirements: Participants must be over 18.

Objective: Practical, hands on learning for field geologists and support personnel. For the purposes of this class, “Wilderness” is defined as severe or hostile environments, limited equipment and or delayed access to medical care. For many geologists, this is also the definition of where we work and play. Wilderness Medical Associates teaches students the body systems approach to medicine. If you understand how the system works, then you can recognize when something goes wrong. Either you have the tools to fix the problem or you need to evacuate. Emphasis is on how to assess a patient, the situation, determine the problems, anticipated problems, and follow through with a plan. Also included are tips on what to carry in the field, what to have in camp, and travel health. The course includes WFA certification, CPR and 2 wilderness protocols. Ms. Purvis is an excellent instructor and has worked in the hottest, highest, and coldest places on the planet. Susan was a gold exploration geologist prior to taking up work as medical practitioner, search dog handler, and expedition medic. Go Find is her bestselling memoir. www.susanpurvis.com

Prospective Participants: exploration staff, outdoor enthusiasts, anyone with the motto “hope for the best, prepare for the worst.”